The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) of plotting to destabilize the system following its renewed call for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan over the recent developments in the Rivers State House of Assembly
PDP Acting National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Tony Caesar Okeke in a statement issued in Abuja said such call was an indication that the opposition party is indeed unserious, lacked direction and only seeks to destabilize the polity.
Stating that it does not in any way lend support to the violence recently witnessed in the Rivers State House of Assembly, the PDP said brawls are common features in parliaments across the world and wondered how the recent fray in Rivers House of Assembly translates into an impeachable offense on the part of the President.
“Our attention has been drawn to the renewed call by the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan over the recent developments in the Rivers State House of Assembly. This is indeed a sign that the ACN is bereft of direction, plagued by inadequate understanding of the laws and only seeks to
destabilize the polity for selfish reasons.
“For the avoidance of doubt, President Goodluck Jonathan has nothing to do with the activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly and has no link whatsoever in the recent developments in that legislative house.
“Much as we do not condone the violence witnessed recently in the Rivers State House of Assembly, it is imperative to point out that brawls are usual phenomena in parliaments and on no occasion has any reasonable person called for the impeachment of the President of a country as a result of legislative brawls”, the statement said.
The party recalled the fracas in Ogun State House of Assembly earlier this year, during which the mace was destroyed and noted that nobody called for the impeachment of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
The PDP gave examples of recent brawls in legislative houses across the world including that of Ukraine parliament in March 2013, Taiwanese parliament in June 2013, Venezuela parliament in May 2013, Turkey Parliament in March 2013, Jordanian parliament in March 2013; the Georgia lawmakers brawl in the United States, during a TV-Show in February 2013 among others. The ruling party said nobody called for the impeachment of the Presidents of those countries on account of the brawls.
The PDP however reiterated its call on its members in Rivers State to maintain decorum, remain law-abiding and be calm.
